Computer presentation and command integration method

ABSTRACT

A method for integrating the monitoring and control of multiple subsystems. The method may include receiving a plurality of display signals, generating a composite display signal defining a plurality of windows, and transmitting the composite display signal to a display. Typically, within the composite display signal, each display signal corresponds to at least one window. The method may further include receiving commands from a user, forming a layout by controlling, according to the commands, the relative size, position, etc. of each window, and saving the layout for recall and future use.

1. RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/543,092, filed on Feb. 9, 2004 and entitledCOMPUTER PRESENTATION INTEGRATION APPARATUS AND METHOD.

BACKGROUND

1. The Field of the Invention

This invention relates to control systems and, more particularly, tonovel systems and methods for integrated monitoring and control ofmultiple subsystems.

2. The Background Art

The proliferation of computers, control systems, and other electronicdevices has created an increasingly difficult problem for the humanoperators and users that must monitor and control them. In manyoperations and control centers, a user must monitor and control three,four, or more separate systems in order to perform designatedresponsibilities. Operator work areas having multiple visual displayterminals, keyboards, pointing devices, etc. are common.

In many situations, this problem is exacerbated when the various systemsbeing monitored and controlled employ different operating systems anduse different visual display devices. Often the most important systemsin an operations center or control room are older systems that cannoteasily be modified or integrated with newer systems. Accordingly, theinformation of greatest importance to a user is often distributed acrossa variety of display devices.

Currently, there are devices such as keyboard, video, and mouse switches(KVMs) that allow a user to switch between multiple computer systems,while using a single workstation. These devices have significantlimitations. For example, they typically allow the user to view andcontrol only one system at a time.

Display integrators have also been developed. Typically, displayintegrators combine multiple images, thereby allowing a user to monitorthe output of multiple systems from a single display device. However,display integrators neither reduce the number of control input devicesnor permit redirection of command inputs. They merely aggregate displayimages.

Currently, personal computers and televisions may monitor and controlone or more systems by displaying images from the connected systems andredirecting control from a keyboard and pointer. These devices, however,also have significant limitations. For example, they are limited intheir ability to work in real time with multiple diverse systems.Furthermore, they do not allow the user to customize the display imageby sizing and positioning the various display elements at will.Moreover, they do not support the creation of arbitrarily selectedsubwindows or the saving and reuse of information layout.

What is needed is a system that gives a user the power to integrate themonitoring and control of various disparate systems (subsystems).Additionally, what is needed is a system that gives a user the power tocustomize the display image produced on the display of a workstation tomeet individual needs, facilitate one's work, and accommodate one's ownpreferences.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodiedand broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed inone embodiment of the present invention as including a system providingintegrated monitoring and control of one or more subsystems. A systemproviding integrated control may be any arrangement where a user issuescommands to, and receives monitoring display information from, multiplesubsystems. In selected embodiments, such a system may include anintegrator interfacing between a workstation and multiple subsystems.

In certain applications, a subsystem may output a display signal in aparticular form (e.g. interface standard). Similarly, that subsystem mayreceive commands in a particular form. The display signals and commandsof another subsystem may be incompatible with those of the firstsubsystem. In such applications, an integrator in accordance with thepresent invention may function as a translator between a workstation andthe otherwise incompatible subsystems.

In selected embodiments, an integrator may translate the displaysignals, received from the subsystems in various, physically disparateforms, into a common form. Once in a common form, the display signalsmay be integrated into a composite display signal. The composite displaysignal may be passed from the integrator to the display of aworkstation. Similarly, an integrator may translate the commandsreceived from the various input devices of a workstation into commandsthat may be understood by the various subsystems to which the commandsare directed.

In certain embodiments, an integrator may include a display processorand a command processor. The display processor may receive the variousdisplay signals from the connected subsystems, generate a compositedisplay signal defining various windows, and transmit the compositedisplay signal to the display of the workstation. In some embodiments,each incoming display signal may be assigned to at least one windowdefined by the composite display signal. In other embodiments, onlyselected incoming display signals or portions of incoming displaysignals may each be assigned a window.

The command processor may direct commands received from one or moreinput devices of the workstation to their appropriate destinations.Appropriate destinations may include the integrator itself, aneighboring integrator, one or more of the connected subsystems, or thelike. If necessary, a command processor may translate commands beforedirecting them to their destination.

In selected embodiments, a command processor may communicate selectedcommands, received from a workstation, to the display processor. Forexample, a command processor may pass a command to the display processorfor implementing commands directed to opening, closing, sizing,positioning, or the like. Accordingly, a command processor may providethe mechanism through which a user selects, sizes, positions, orotherwise manipulates the windows presenting real-time visual feedbackfrom multiple subsystems. In certain embodiments, a command processormay support the saving and recalling of various display layoutscomprising arrangements of windows that the user has created and foundto be useful.

In certain embodiments, a command processor may be configured toreceive, store, and enforce access limitations corresponding to a user.An access limitation may be any restriction on what commands areforwarded by the command processor to the intended destination. Forexample, in selected situations, it may be desirable to limit whichusers are able to control selected critical functions of a subsystem.Accordingly, an access limitation may indicate that if a particular userissues a command affecting a critical function of a subsystem 12, thatcommand is to be ignored and not forwarded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are,therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described with additional specificity and detail through use ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with thepresent invention comprising an integrator interfacing between aworkstation and multiple subsystems;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integrator inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a displayprocessor from an integrator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic block diagram of an embodiment of adisplay processor equipped with an addressed buffer in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic block diagram of an embodiment of adisplay processor in accordance with the present invention providing acomposite display signal to multiple workstation displays;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a commandprocessor from an integrator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with thepresent invention comprising a first integrator interfacing between afirst workstation and first multiple subsystems, a second integratorinterfacing between a second workstation and second multiple subsystems,and a data link connecting the first integrator to the secondintegrator;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a method foroperating a command processor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a method forcreating display layouts in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a displaylayout in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a screen shot showing oneembodiment of a display layout produced in accordance with the presentinvention to include a tool bar and various “thumbnail” windows;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a screen shot showing analternative embodiment of a display layout produced in accordance withthe present invention to include a tool bar, various thumbnail windows,and a subwindow corresponding to one of the thumbnail windows; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a screen shot showing anotheralternative embodiment of a display layout produced in accordance withthe present invention to include a tool bar, various thumbnail windows,a full window corresponding to one of the thumbnail windows, and avirtual control panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawingsherein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the system and method of the present invention, asrepresented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the variousembodiments of the invention. The invention will be best understood byreference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by likenumerals throughout.

Referring to FIG. 1, selected embodiments in accordance with the presentinvention may include a system 10 providing integrated control over oneor more subsystems 12. Control may be defined in terms of a controlloop. A control loop may include two flows of information. Informationflowing out may be referred to as a command. Information flowing in maybe referred to as feedback. Feedback allows the user or system issuing acommand to verify that the command was properly received, understood,and implemented by the system or subsystem being controlled.Accordingly, control may be defined as a process where in commands areissued and verification feedback is received.

A system 10 providing integrated control may be any arrangement where auser, workstation, or the like is empowered with hardware, software, orsome combination thereof permitting the issuance of commands to, and thereception of feedback from, multiple subsystems 12 through a convenientand compact interface. In selected embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention, a system 10 providing integrated control (i.e. anIntegrated Control System or ICS) may include an integrator 14interfacing between a workstation 16 and multiple subsystems 12.

In certain applications, one or more subsystems 12 may be designed witha particular control system in mind. In such applications, a subsystem12 a may output feedback (e.g. display signal 18 a) in a particular formthat may be analogized to a particular language. Similarly, thatsubsystem 12 a may receive commands (e.g. key commands 20 a) in aparticular form that may also be analogized to a particular language.Depending on the application, the display signals 18 b and key commands20 b of a second subsystem 12 b may be in different languages orotherwise incompatible with those of the first subsystem 12 a. In suchapplications, the subsystems 12 a, 12 b may be considered physicallydisparate or may be said to communicate through display signals 18 a, 18b and key commands 20 a, 20 b that are physically disparate in form.

Physically disparate subsystems 12 are often the result of advances intechnology. For example, a first subsystem 12 a may have been designedand built when displays of a particular kind where considered standard.Accordingly, the first subsystem 12 a may have been designed to outputdisplay signals 18 a in a form understood by such displays. However, astechnology advanced, new display technology may have been developed. Asecond subsystem 12 b, developed in more recent times, may be designedto output display signals 18 b in a form understood by the new displays.Thus, the display signals 18 a of the first subsystem 12 a may beincompatible with the display signals 18 b of the second subsystem 12 b.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, an integrator 14 in accordancewith the present invention is connected to three representativesubsystems 12 a, 12 b, 12 c. In other embodiments, a greater or lessernumber of subsystems 12 of various input and output forms or languagesmay be connected to an integrator 14. Accordingly, the following moredetailed description of FIG. 1 is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention, but is merely representative of selected subsystems 12 towhich integrated control in accordance with the present invention may beapplied.

A first subsystem 12 a provides an example of an older computer systemusing DOS (i.e. an operating system used on IBM personal computers andcompatible machines) to run applications. The first subsystem 12 a maybe designed to output a display signal 18 a compatible with a monochromedisplay. However, rather than sending the display signal 18 a to amonochrome display, the first subsystem 12 a may send the display signal18 a to an integrator 14. Similarly, rather than receiving key commands20 a directly from a keyboard, the first subsystem 12 a may receive keycommands 20 a from the integrator 14.

A second subsystem 12 b provides an example of a more advanced computersystem designed to interface with a keyboard, pointing device (e.g. a“mouse”), and a color, higher resolution display. Rather than sendingthe display signal 18 b in RGB form to a color, higher-resolutiondisplay, the second subsystem 12 b may send the display signal 18 b tothe integrator 14. Similarly, rather than receiving key commands 20 band pointer commands 22 directly from a keyboard or mouse, the secondsubsystem 12 b may receive key commands 20 b and pointer commands 22from the integrator 14.

A third subsystem 12 c provides an example of a customized subsystem.Such a subsystem 12 c may include a first serial communication port foroutputting a display signal 18 c in the form of ASCII characters to acharacter terminal. Rather than sending the display signal 18 c to acharacter terminal, the third subsystem 12 c may send the display signal18 c to the integrator 14. The first serial port, or a second serialport or other type of interface, may be connected to the integrator 14to facilitate communication of control commands 24.

In addition to the monochrome, RGB, and ASCII display signals 18discussed hereinabove, other suitable display signals 18 that may bereceived and processed by an integrator in accordance with the presentinvention may include any variety of component, composite, or compressedsignal, whether digital or analog (e.g. YC_(b)C_(r), YP_(b)P_(r), NTSC,PAL, S-Video, MPEG, JPEG, or the like). In selected embodiments, displaysignals 18 may encompass more than just images. For example, anyvoltage, current, contact condition, encoded digital signal, valuecorresponding to a state of a component, and the like may be used tocontrol any type of display device or indicator device and may beconsidered a display signal.

In selected embodiments, an integrator 14 may function as a translatorbetween a workstation 16 and the subsystems 12. An integrator 14 maytranslate the display signals 18, received from the subsystems 12 invarious, physically disparate forms, into a common form. Once in acommon form, the display signals 18 may be integrated into a compositedisplay signal 26 that may be passed from the integrator 14 to a display28 of a workstation 16. A workstation 16 in accordance with the presentinvention may include any combination of displays 28. If desired, one ormore of the displays 28 utilized in a workstation 16 may be ahigh-resolution display.

A workstation 16 in accordance with the present invention may alsoinclude any combination of input devices 30. Suitable input devices 30may include control panels, keyboards, pointers or cursor-controldevices, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, a workstation 16includes three input devices 30 (i.e. a keyboard 30 a, pointer 30 b, andcustom control panel 30 c). The keyboard 30 a may communicate keycommands 32 to an integrator 14. The pointer 30 b may communicatepointer commands 34 to an integrator 14. The custom control panel 30 cmay communicate serial, parallel, or other types of commands 36 to anintegrator 14. An integrator 14 may translate the commands 32, 34, 36received from the various input devices 30 into commands 20,22,24 thatmay be understood by the various subsystems 12 to which the commands 32,34, 36 are directed.

Referring to FIG. 2, an integrator 14 in accordance with the presentinvention may include a display processor 38 and a command processor 40.A display processor 38 may receive display signals 18 from the connectedsubsystems 12, translate (if necessary) the display signals 18 to acommon or compatible form, and generate a composite display signal 26. Acommand processor 40 may receive commands 32, 34, 36 from a workstation,translate (if necessary) the commands 32, 34, 36 into commands 20, 22,24 understood by the various subsystems 12 to which the commands 32, 34,36 are directed, and forward the commands 20, 22, 24 to the appropriatesubsystems 12.

In selected embodiments, a command processor 40 may communicate selectedcommands, received from a workstation 16, to the display processor 38.For example, a command processor 40 may pass commands directed to imageopening, closing, sizing, positioning, or the like to the displayprocessor 38 for implementation. Accordingly, an integrator 14 inaccordance with the present invention may provide the mechanism throughwhich a user may select, size, position, and otherwise manipulatereal-time visual feedback from multiple subsystems 12.

If desired, an integrator 14 in accordance with the present inventionmay include a data link 41. In certain embodiments, a data link 41 mayconnect a command processor 40 of one integrator 14 to the commandprocessor 40 of another integrator 14. Accordingly one integrator 14 mayexert control over another integrator 14. Additionally, a data link 41may allow an integrator 14 to be controlled by an external dataprocessing system. In one embodiment, such a data link 41 may comprisean IEEE 802.3 network interface.

Referring to FIG. 3, a display processor 38 in accordance with thepresent invention may include various interface modules 42. Oneinterface module 42 may service each incoming display signal 18. Inselected embodiments, an interface module 42 may function as anemulator, providing the mechanical and electrical requirements normallypresented by the display to which the display signal 18 is sent. Forexample, an interface module 42 may provide the mechanical attachment,voltage, impedance, or the like that would normally be provided by thedisplay device.

After passing through an interface module 42, a display signal 18 mayenter an image structure converter 44. An image structure converter 44may convert the display signal 18 to a common image structure. Inembodiments where an incoming display signal 18 is already in the commonimage structure, it may be passed through without alteration. Anysuitable structure may suffice for a common image structure. In oneembodiment, an image structure converter may convert all incomingdisplay signals 18 to an RGB structure of some predetermined resolution,for example.

In general, an image structure converter 44 may apply any processnecessary to effectuate a conversion. For example, in certainembodiments, an image structure converter 44 may apply an eight-bit,linear-RGB, progressive scan. In embodiments where the display signal 18is interlaced, monochrome analog, the image structure converter 44 mayde-interlace the display signal 18 and convert the luminance informationinto the common image structure. In embodiments where the display signal18 comprises serial ASCII characters, the image structure converter maycreate a virtual image of a character terminal based on the incomingdisplay signal 18, then transform the virtual image into the commonimage structure.

Display signals 18 of common image structure may be passed to frame rateconverters 46. A frame rate converter 46 may convert each incomingdisplay signal 18 to a common frame rate. A common frame rate may be anysuitable value. In one embodiment, a frame rate converter may convertall incoming display signals 18 to seventy progressive frames persecond. If desired or necessary, a display processor 38 may include aclock 48 operably connected to support the operation of the frame rateconverter 46.

Display signals 18 of common image structure and frame rate may bepassed to image resizers 50. An image resizer 50 may manipulate incomingdisplay signals 18 to permit multiple display signals 18 to be includedwithin the composite display signal 26. For example, a display 28 of aworkstation 16 may have a limited number of pixels. For illustrativepurposes, it may be assumed that a display 28 is limited to 1600×1200pixels. A user may desire a window of 640×480 pixels on the display 28to present a display signal originally sized for a display of 800×600pixels. In such a situation, an image resizer 50 may “down-convert” thedisplay signal 18 by one and one quarter times its original, linearpixelation.

Again for illustrative purposes, one may assume that a user desires tocreate another window of 480×360 pixels on the display to present adisplay signal 18 originally sized for a display of 320×240 pixels. Insuch a situation, an image resizer 50 may “up-convert” the displaysignal 18 by one and one half. In certain embodiments, a display signal18 may be up-converted or down-converted by a factor of up to eight.

In selected embodiments, an image resizer 50 may up-convert ordown-convert display signals 18 according to commands received from animage controller 52. In certain embodiments, an image controller 52 maydetermine whether to resize a display signal 18 by comparing the size ofthe display signal 18 to the size of the window in which the displaysignal 18 is to be presented.

In certain embodiments, a display processor 38 in accordance with thepresent invention may include a graphics generator 54. A graphicsgenerator 54 may add various graphic features to the composite displaysignal 26. For example, in selected embodiments a graphics generator 54may add borders around windows, buttons, and other control icons as wellas macros that facilitate control over the functions of an integrator 14or any subsystem 12 connected to the integrator 14. In certainembodiments, a graphics generator 54 may be synchronized by a clock 48with the processed display signals 18.

In selected embodiments, an image controller 52 may control the variousoperations and processes of a display processor 38. In some embodiments,an image controller 52 may receive commands from a command processor 40.Such commands may reflect how a user desires to modify the compositedisplay signal 26 to produce a desired visual output on a display 28 ofa workstation 16. For example, an image controller 52 may receive, froma command processor 40, commands with respect to the opening, closing,sizing, positioning, and layering of various windows defined by thecomposite display signal 16. An image controller 52 may also receivecommands with respect to which image area of a particular display signal18 is to be displayed within any particular window.

Under the control of an image controller 52, a multiplexer 56 mayreceive and combine the processed display signals 18 of the connectedsubsystems 12, graphic features generated by the graphics generator 54,and input, as needed, from a clock 48 to form a composite display signal26. The composite display signal 26 may be forwarded by a display driver58 to a display 28 of a workstation 16.

Referring to FIG. 4, a display processor 38 in accordance with thepresent invention may include one or more buffers 60 as needed. Forexample, a buffer 60 a, 60 b, 60 c may be assigned to each displaysignal 18 a, 18 b, 18 c as it transitions from the image resizer 50 tothe multiplexer 56. Physically, such buffers 60 a, 60 b, 60 c may beindependent components or subcomponents contained within either or bothof the image resizer 50 and the multiplexer 56.

In selected embodiments, a buffer 60 d may be positioned logicallybetween the image controller 52 and multiplexer 56 while beingpositioned physically as an independent component or a subcomponentcontained within either or both of the two.

In one embodiment, a buffer 60 d between an image controller 52 and amultiplexer 56 may be an addressed buffer 60 d. A conventional buffermay provide an array or matrix of the same size or dimension as thedisplay to which the display signal will be sent. For example, aconventional buffer for an RGB display of 1600×1200 pixels may comprisea 1600×1200 matrix with each element containing an RGB value for thecorresponding pixel. In contrast, an addressed buffer 60 d in accordancewith the present invention may comprise an array or matrix with eachelement containing either pixel color information (e.g. an RGB value) oran address providing one element of indirection wherein pixel colorinformation may be found for the corresponding pixel.

For example, an address contained within an addressed buffer 60 d maydirect the multiplexer 56 to look for the actual pixel color informationin some other buffer 60. In selected embodiments, to facilitate thedetermination of whether an element contains pixel color information oran address, various bits of data corresponding to each element mayidentify that element as corresponding to pixel color information or anaddress. An addressed buffer 60 d in accordance with the presentinvention may simplify the hardware and software required by the displayprocessor 38. For example, control code for the multiplexer 56 may becontained within the addressed buffer 60 d.

Referring to FIG. 5, in selected embodiments, a workstation 16 inaccordance with the present invention may include two or more displays28. Multiple displays 28 may be desirable when numerous subsystems 12are included within the system 10 or when some of the subsystems 12provide display signals 18 of comparatively higher resolution.

In certain embodiments, multiple displays 28 may be treated as a singlelogical display. That is, a multiplexer 56 may partition the compositedisplay image 26 into as many portions as there are displays 28. Eachportion of the composite display signal 26 may then be forwarded to acorresponding display 28. For example, in one embodiment, a multiplexer56 may partition the composite display signal 26 into first and secondportions. The first portion may be forwarded by a first display driver58 a to a first display 28 a of a workstation 16. The second portion maybe forwarded by a second display driver 58 b to a second display 28 b ofthe workstation 16.

Referring to FIG. 6, in general, a command processor 40 in accordancewith the present invention may process commands 32, 34, 36 of twovarieties or types. A first type may include commands 32, 34, 36intended by a user for one or more subsystems 12. A command 32, 34, 36to adjust the heat generated in a particular temperature zone control bya first subsystem 12 a may be an example of a command 32, 34, 36 of thefirst type. A second type may include commands 32, 34, 36 intended by auser for the integrator 14 itself. A command 32, 34, 36 to open, close,size, position, or activate a window presented on the display 28 of aworkstation 16 may be an example of a command 32, 34, 36 of the secondtype.

Commands 32, 34, 36 of either type may be entered in any suitablemanner. For example, commands 32, 34, 36 may be entered by clicking witha pointer 30 b, dragging with a pointer 30 b, clicking and dragging witha pointer 30 b, typing on a keyboard 30 a, or manipulating specialfunction keys, knobs, switches, etc. on a keyboard 30 a or control panel30 c or virtual buttons, knobs, dials, etc. on a screen image console.

In certain embodiments, a command processor 40 may include variousinterface modules 62. One interface module 62 may service each incomingcommand 32, 34, 36 and outgoing command 20,22,24. Similar to theinterface modules 42 of a display processor 38, in selected embodiments,the interface modules 62 of a command processor 40 may function asemulators, providing the mechanical and electrical requirements normallypresented by the corresponding systems or input devices. That is, forexample, interface modules 62 for incoming commands 32,34,36 may providethe mechanical attachment, voltage, impedance, or the like that a systemwould normally provide to the input devices 30. Similarly, interfacemodules 62 for outgoing commands 20, 22, 24 may provide the mechanicalattachment, voltage, impedance, or the like that a system would normallyreceive from an input device.

In selected embodiments, a command processor 40 may include a commandcontroller 64. A command controller 64 may receive incoming commands 32,34, 36 from selected interface modules 62 and issue commands 20, 22, 24to others 62. In certain embodiments, a command controller 64 mayinclude a CPU 66 operably connected to a memory device 68. The memorydevice 68 may include data structures in the form of executables andoperational data. The data structures may comprise various modules. Forexample, in one embodiment, the data structures form a translationmodule 70, access control module 72, topology tracking module 74, andlayout module 76.

A translation module 70 in accordance with the present invention may beconfigured to receive incoming commands 32, 34, 36 and determine thedestination thereof. If the commands 32, 34, 36 are directed to adestination (e.g. subsystem 12, image controller 52, etc.) receivinginputs in a different form or language than that of the commands 32, 34,36, the commands 32, 34,36 may be translated by the translation module70 into commands 20, 22,24 of proper form. In selected embodiments,translation of commands 34 from a pointer 30 b may include appropriatescaling of cursor movements. Commands 20, 22, 24 of proper form may beforwarded by the translation module 70 to the destination.

An access control module 72 in accordance with the present invention maybe configured to receive, store, and enforce access limitationscorresponding to any user. For example, in selected embodiments, eachuser of a system 10 in accordance with the present invention may berequired to log in with a username and password. An access module 72 mayreceive the username and apply a corresponding set of accesslimitations. An access limitation may be any restriction on whatcommands 32, 34, 36 are forwarded by the integrator 14 to the intendeddestination (e.g. subsystem 12, image controller 52, etc.).

For example, in selected situations, it may be desirable to limit whichusers are able to restart a subsystem 12. Accordingly, an accesslimitation may indicate that if a particular user directs a restartcommand (e.g. Control-Alt-Delete) to a subsystem 12, that command is tobe ignored and not forwarded. In other situations, an access limitationmay prevent a particular user from opening or closing a particularwindow presenting the display signal 18 of a particular subsystem 12. Incertain embodiments, an access control module 72 may receive accesslimitations for the various users from an administrator whose usernameis associated with substantially no access limitations.

In selected embodiments, an access control module 72 may control accesson a user-by-user, or command-by-command basis. For example, eachusername may be coupled or associated with a list of prohibited (or, ifmore convenient, permitted) commands. Alternatively, an access controlmodule 72 may control access according to a series of access levels. Insuch embodiments, each access level may be associated with selectedaccess privileges. The access granted a user may be controlled byselecting the access level assigned to the user. For example, usersassigned an access level of five may have fewer access limitations thanusers assigned an access level of three.

A topology tracking module 74 in accordance with the present inventionmay be configured to maintain a current record of all subsystems 12connected to an integrator 14. In selected embodiments, a topologytracking module 74 may also maintain a current record of the variousinput forms or languages used by the various subsystems 12. Accordingly,a topology tracking module 74 may work in cooperation with a translationmodule 70 to identify how (i.e. into what forms or languages) thevarious commands 32, 34, 36 are to be translated.

In certain embodiments, a topology tracking module 74 may be configuredto maintain a current record of all subsystems 12 associated with anyneighboring integrator 14 connected via a data link 41. Such a topologytracking module 74 may also maintain a current record of the variousinput forms or languages used by the subsystems 12 so connected.Accordingly, a topology tracking module 74 may facilitate translationand forwarding of commands 32, 34, 36 and display signals 18 from oneintegrator 14 to another 14.

A layout module 76 in accordance with the present invention may beconfigured to support the creation, storage, and recall of variousdisplay layouts. A display layout may be any arrangement of windows,virtual control panels, or the like defined or generated by thecomposite display signal 26 on the display 28 of a workstation 16. Inselected embodiments, a user may issue commands 32, 34, 36 until adesired display layout is achieved. When commanded, the desired displaylayout may be saved by the layout module 76. Later, when a user desiresto view a saved display layout, he may issue commands 32, 34, 36 causingthe layout module 76 to retrieve or recall that particular displaylayout.

Referring to FIG. 7, in selected embodiments, two or more integrators 14in accordance with the present invention may be interconnected. In theillustrated embodiment, a first integrator 14 a is connected to a secondintegrator 14 b via data link 41. The first integrator 14 a provides theinterface between a first workstation 16 a and first and secondsubsystems 12 a, 12 b. The second integrator 14 b provides the interfacebetween a second workstation 16 b and third and fourth subsystems 12 c,12 d. In other embodiments, a greater or lesser number of subsystems 12of various input and output forms or languages may be connected to agreater or lesser number of integrators 14. Accordingly, the followingmore detailed description of FIG. 7 is not intended to limit the scopeof the invention, but is merely representative of how multipleintegrators 14 in accordance with the present invention may beinterconnected.

In certain embodiments, a display signal 18 from one subsystem 12 may bedirected to more than one integrator 14. For example, the display signal18 b of the second subsystem 12 b and the display signal 18 c of thethird subsystem 12 c may be directed to both integrators 14 a, 14 b. Ifdesired or necessary, one or more devices or modules (e.g. distributionamplifiers 78) may assist in the division, regeneration, oramplification the signals 18 b, 18 c.

By receiving display signals 18 a, 18 b, 18 c from the first, second,and third subsystems 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, a first integrator 14 a maygenerate a composite display signal 26 a dedicating a window 80 to eachdisplay signal 18 a, 18 b, 18 c or a portion thereof. For example, afirst window 80 a may display the entire content corresponding to adisplay signal 18 a of the first subsystem 12 a, a second window 80 bmay display the entire content of a display signal 18 c of the thirdsubsystem 12 c, and a third window 80 c may display a portion of thedisplay content corresponding to a signal 18 b of the second subsystem12 b. Similarly, by receiving display signals 18 b, 18 c, 18 d from thesecond, third, and forth subsystems 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, a secondintegrator 14 b may generate a composite display signal 26 b dedicatinga window 80 d, 80 e, 80 f to each corresponding display signal 18 b, 18c, 18 d or a portion thereof.

In such an arrangement, a user of each workstation 16 a, 6 b may haveshared control of two subsystems 12 and exclusive control of onesubsystem 12. However, each user may have exclusive (absent any accesslimitation to the contrary) control over that user's own display layout.That is, each user, independent of the other, may configure thepositioning, sizing, or the like of the various windows 80 in a mannerthat best suits that individual. Accordingly, a user of the secondworkstation 16 a may prefer a window 80 e presenting the entire contentof a display signal 18 b of the second subsystem 12 b, while the user ofthe first workstation 16 a may prefer a window 80 c presenting only aselected portion of the content of a display signal 18 b of the secondsubsystem 12 b.

In selected embodiments, each user may control any connected subsystem12 having one or more windows 80 on his or her display 28. Any suitablemethod may be used to arbitrate control between users. In certainembodiments, only one user may actively control (as opposed to simplymonitor) a subsystem 12 at any given time. For example, if desired, thelast user to select and activate a window 80 may have control of thecorresponding subsystem 12.

If desired, other methods may be used to arbitrate control betweenusers. For example, in some embodiments, a fixed arrangement may beused. In a fixed arrangement, each user may be mapped to specificsubsystems 12. Accordingly, only that user may control those specificsubsystems 12.

In other embodiments, a dynamic arrangement may be used. For example, ina “round robin” arrangement, any operator may take control of asubsystem 12. Accordingly, activation of control by one user mayautomatically release control from all other users. Such an arrangementmay require verbal communication between users. However, it mayfacilitate rapid changes of control.

In still other embodiments, a priority arrangement may be used. In suchan arrangement, higher priority users may take control from lowerpriority users. Lower priority users may take control of a subsystem 12only if a higher priority user has not activated (taken the focus ofcontrol for) that subsystem 12. This may require higher priority usersto explicitly release control of subsystems 12 when finished.

In certain situations, a user may desire to send one or more commands32, 34, 36 to a subsystem 12 that is not directly connected to theintegrator 14 employed by the user. For example, referring to theillustrated embodiment, the user of the first workstation 16 a maydesire to send a command 32, 34, 36 to the third subsystem 12 c. Whilethe third subsystem 12 c may provide a display signal 18 c directly tothe first integrator 14 a, it may not receive commands 20, 22, 24directly from the first integrator 14 a.

In such situations, the first integrator 14 a may recognize that thethird subsystem 12 c receives commands 20,22,24 directly from the secondintegrator 14 b. Accordingly, the first integrator 14 a may pass anycommands 32, 34, 36 that it receives for the third subsystem 12 c to thesecond integrator 14 b for delivery. In some embodiments, raw,unprocessed, or untranslated commands 32, 34, 36 may be sent from thefirst integrator 14 a to the second integrator 14 b. In otherembodiments, a first integrator 14 a may generate and send processed ortranslated commands 20, 22, 24 to the second integrator 14 b. Inselected embodiments, the transfer of commands 32, 34, 36 (translated orotherwise) between integrators 14 a, 14 b may be carried out by a datalink 41.

Referring to FIG. 8, in operation, a command processor 40 in accordancewith the present invention may receive 82 a command 32, 34, 36 anddetermine 84 the context thereof. By determining 84 the context of thecommand 32, 34, 36 the command processor 40 may determine what should bedone with the command 32, 34, 36. In selected embodiments, determining84 the context of the command 32,34,36 may include identifying 86 theuser who issued the command 32, 34, 36, which may be done by referringto the username under which the user is logged in. Determining 84 thecontext of the command 32, 34, 36 may also include identifying 88 theintended destination of the command 32, 34, 36.

With the user and destination known, a command processor 40 maydetermine 90 whether the user has access, that is, whether the user haspreviously been given permission to send such a command 32, 34, 36 tosuch a destination. If the user does not have access, the command 32,34, 36 may be ignored 92 and the user may be informed 94 that thecommand will not be executed due to a lack of proper access. If the userdoes have access, the command 32, 34, 36 may, if needed, be translated96.

A command 32,34,36 may be translated 96 in accordance with the presentinvention in a variety of ways. In selected situations, a command 32,34, 36 may be translated directly 98. For example, a command 32, 34, 36to restart in one form or language may be translated into a command 20,22, 24 to restart in a different form or language that may be understoodby the destination subsystem 12. Direct translation 98 may be analogizedto translating “hello” in English to “hola” in Spanish.

In other situations, a command 32, 34, 36 may be translated 96 throughexpansion 100. In such situations, the command 32,34,36 may, in effect,comprise a virtual, shorthand notation for a particular list of actualcommands 20,22,24. For example, within a command processor 40, a list ofcommands 20,22, 24 may be assigned to a specific function key. The listof commands 20, 22, 24 may include commands to more than onedestination. For example, one command 20, 22, 24 on the list may bedirected to a first subsystem 12 a while another command 20, 22, 24 onthe list may be directed to a second subsystem 12 b. Accordingly, whenthe specific function key is pressed, the various commands 20, 22, 24contained in the list may be identified. Expansion translation 100 maybe analogized to translating “tasks identified in storage location one”to “subsystem one perform tasks one and two, subsystem two perform taskfive,” or the like.

Once translation 96 is complete, the resulting commands 20, 22, 24 maybe forwarded 102 to the appropriate destination or destinations.Appropriate destinations may include subsystems 12, selected componentsor modules within the same integrator 14, selected components or moduleswithin a neighboring integrator 14, or the like. In situations where anexpansion translation 100 has resulted in a list of commands directed tovarious destinations, the commands 20, 22, 24 may be forwarded to thevarious destinations substantially simultaneously.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, to create a display layout 104, a user mayfirst log in 106 at the workstation 16 of a system 10 in accordance withthe present invention. In selected embodiments, at a new user start up,a default setting may display 108 a thumbnail window 110 a, 110 b, 110 cfor each of the connected subsystems 12 a, 12 b, 12 c. Alternatively, aselected command 32, 34, 36 may trigger a default setting to display 108a “thumbnail” or subsized 110 a, 110 b, 110 c for each of the connectedsubsystems 12 a, 12 b, 12 c.

In selected embodiments, a thumbnail 110 may be a complete view of theimage 112 defined by a display signal 18. The thumbnail 110 may comprisea real time image 112 of the display signal 18 output by a particularsubsystem 12. In generating a thumbnail 110, the image 112 may bereduced in resolution. Accordingly, several thumbnails 110 may fitwithin a display layout 104.

By reviewing a thumbnail 110 a, 110 b, 110 c of each connected subsystem12 a, 12 b, 12 c, a user may identify the subsystems 12 desired to beincluded within the display layout 104. Accordingly, the user may close114 the thumbnails 110 corresponding to unwanted subsystems 12. Inselected situations, an administrator may require selected subsystems 12to be displayed in at least thumbnail 110 form at all times. In suchsituations, access limitations may prevent a user from closing 114thumbnails 110 corresponding to the selected subsystems 12. Thumbnails110 that are not closed may be sized 116 and positioned 118 according tothe preferences of the user.

In selected embodiments in accordance with the present invention, a usermay choose 120 to include additional features within a display layout104. For example, a user may choose 120 to generate 122 one or more fullwindows 124. In certain embodiments, a full window may be a complete,full-resolution, real-time image 112 defined by the display signal 18 ofa selected subsystem 12. Full resolution may reduce the likelihood thatartifacts produced by sub-sampling will conceal information, distortgrids, or the like. Once generated 122, a full window 124 may be sized126 and positioned 128 according to the desires or preferences of theuser. In some embodiments, sizing of a full window 124 may be limited to“up-converting” to ensure that possibly significant details are notlost. In other embodiments, sizing 126 of a full window 124 may beprohibited and the full window 124 may simply represent the fullresolution image 112 defined by the display signal 18.

If desired, a user may choose 120 to generate 130 one or more subwindows132. In certain embodiments, a subwindow 132 may provide a method tohighlight and emphasize information that may be critical to the user.For example, in many situations, only a portion of the informationdisplayed in an image 112 is needed by a user. Subwindows 132 may give auser the ability to select and magnify a selected area 134 of the image112 defined by the display signal 18 of a selected subsystem 12. Inselected embodiments, by adjusting the coverage of the selected area134, the portion of the image 112 displayed within a subwindow 132 maybe adjusted.

Once generated 130, a subwindow 132 may be sized 136 and positioned 138according to the desires or preferences of the user. By sizing 136 asubwindow 132, the effective magnification of the selected area 134 maybe controlled. The portion of the image 112 displayed within a subwindow132 may be updated in real time.

In selected embodiments, a user may choose 120 to generate 140 (e.g.create and display) one or more virtual control panels 142 or graphicalcontrol elements 142. In some embodiments, a virtual control panel 142may comprise a bitmap image of one or more buttons 144, switches 144,knobs 144, or the like that may be activated by the system cursor (e.g.pointer 30 b), a “hot” or special function key, or some other command32, 34, 36 or data input. If desired, activation of a button 144, etc.on a virtual control panel 142 may issue one or more commands 32, 34, 36directed to the operation of a corresponding integrator 14, subsystem12, or the like.

In certain embodiments, incoming data (e.g. display signal 18) may beused by an integrator 14 to determine whether to activate or change agraphical representation of a lamp, LED, alpha-numeric display, or thelike within a virtual control panel 142. In one embodiment, accesslimitations may ensure that a virtual control panel 142 is always on thetop layer and not obscured by any windows 80 or the like. Once generated140, a virtual control panel 142 may be sized 143 and positioned 145according to the desires or preferences of the user.

If desired, a user may choose 120 to further customize 146 a displaylayout 104. In general, any customization that assists a user indifferentiating between, or more logically organizing, various windows80, virtual control panels 142, or the like may be supported within asystem 10 in accordance with the present invention. For example, a usermay select a particular color for the border 148 of a window 80 orvirtual control panel 142. A user may also enter a customized name inthe title bar 150 portion of the border 148. A user may further select adefault layering scheme for any windows 80, virtual control panels 142,or the like that overlap.

Once a user has created a display layout 104 that reflects preferences,needs, etc. to the extent permitted under application accessrestrictions, the user may save 152 the display layout 104 so that itmay be rapidly regenerated at a future time. If desired, a saved displaylayout 104 may be assigned 154 to a particular key. Such a key may be anactual or virtual button, switch, knob, or the like that may be selectedor activated by a user with commands 32, 34, 36 entered into an inputdevice 30. In certain embodiments, a key may be renamed 156 to reflectthe nature of the display layout assigned 154 thereto. For example, avirtual key on a display 28 may be renamed 156 to “Heating Systems” toindicate that the assigned display layout 104 is a convenient andlogical arrangement of the subsystems 12 that control heating.

When activated 158, a key corresponding to a display layout 104 mayissue the necessary commands to bring that display layout 104 to thedisplay 28. If desired, a user may create several display layouts 104 tomeet needs, facilitate work, and accommodate preferences. In selectedembodiments, display layouts 104 may be designed and arranged to permita user to efficiently perform selected monitoring, tasks, or the like.For example, all the feedback and commands needed to effectively controlheating may be contained within a “Heating Systems” display layout 104,while all the feedback and commands needed to effectively controlingredient allocation may be contained with an “Allocation Systems”display layout 104.

Having created display layouts 104 that meet one's own needs, facilitatework, and accommodate preferences, a user need not “reinvent the wheel”every time he or she logs in 106 to a system 10 in accordance with thepresent invention. Once logged in 106, a user may simply activate 158 akey corresponding to the display layout 104 to view. In selectedembodiments, display layouts 104 and associated keys may be storedaccording to username within a system 10 in accordance with the presentinvention. Thus, when one user is logged on 106 to a workstation 16, heor she may access his or her own display layouts 104. When another useris logged on 106 to the same workstation 16, she may access her owndisplay layouts 104. If desired, integrators 14 interconnected inaccordance with the present invention may be configured to share displaylayouts 104. Accordingly, a user may access his or her display layouts104 from any one of various workstations 16.

In selected embodiments, an integrator 14 in accordance with the presentinvention may record current state information for every window 80.State information may include position, size, coverage, whether activeor closed, or the like. Accordingly, if an integrator 14 is everunintentionally powered down, the integrator 14 may return, when poweris returned, to the last known state. This may include automaticallylogging in 106 the last user as well displaying each window 80 in itslast known state. Additionally, in certain embodiments, when a window 80is closed, an integrator 14 may record the last state of that window.Accordingly, if that window 80 is ever relaunched, it may be presentedin its last known state.

Referring to FIG. 11, in selected embodiments, at startup, the image 160defined by a composite display signal 26 may include a thumbnail 110 foreach connected subsystem 12 and one or more toolbars 162 presenting anarray of macros 164 or virtual buttons 164. The title bar 150 of eachthumbnail 110 may be “grayed” indicating no thumbnail 110 is activatedor has the focus of control. However, each thumbnail 110 may continue topresent real time images 112 from the corresponding subsystems 12.

A tool bar 162 in accordance with the present invention may have anymacros 164 desired or necessary to facilitate operation of the system10. In one embodiment, a tool bar 162 may include log in 164 a, save 164b, recall 164 c, layout 164 d, shift 164 e, and help 164 f macros.

A log in macro 164 a may allow a user to be identified by the system 10.In selected embodiments, when a user logs in 106, the display layout 104may continue with the current layout 104 or change to the layout 104last employed by the user. In some embodiments, the macros 164 displayedon a tool bar 162 may vary according to the preferences of each user.Accordingly, when a user logs in 106, the tool bar 162 may change to anarrangement last employed or defined by the user.

A save macro 164 b may immediately save 152 the current display layout104. In selected embodiments, the layout buttons 164 d or macros 164 dmay “gray” for a selected period of time. During this period of time,any of the layout macros 164 d may be assigned 154 (or reassigned) tostore the newly saved 152 display layout 104. If desired, the period oftime wherein a layout macro 164 d may be assigned 154 a new displaylayout 104 may be controlled as a setup option.

A recall macro 164 c may recall the last display layout 104 saved by theparticular user. The last display layout 104 may be recalled even ifthat layout 104 was also assigned to a specific layout macro 164 d. Inselected embodiments, as a setup option, a recall macro 164 c may be setas a single register, a stack, or a circular buffer with a selecteddepth (e.g. up to 16 saves).

In selected embodiments, one or more layout macros 164 d may be includedas part of a tool bar 162. Activating 158 a layout macro 164 d may bringto the display 28 the last display layout 104 that was assigned 154 tothat layout macro 164 d. In some embodiments, the name applied to alayout macro 164 d may be customized by a user.

A shift macro 164 e may be configured to control which layout macros 164d are displayed on the tool bar 162. For example, in one embodiment, atool bar 162 may only display five layout macros 164 d of a total often. Accordingly, by selecting the shift macro 164 e, a user may togglebetween layout macros 164 d one through five and layout macros 164 d sixthrough ten. In embodiments employing more than two sets of layoutmacros 164 d, a shift macro 164 e may cycle rather than toggle. Ifdesired, the shift macro 164 e may be visible only if there are multiplesets of layout macros 164 d to display. In selected embodiments, thenumber of sets and the number of layout macros 164 d within a set may becontrolled as a setup option.

Activation of a help macro 164 f may invoke a help system. In selectedembodiments, a help system may be stored locally. In other embodiments,a help system may be stored remotely. For example, in one embodiment,activation of the help macro 164 f launches an Internet browseraddressed to a website containing the help system.

In selected embodiments, macros 164 other than those illustrated in FIG.11 may be included. For example, some embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention may include a setup macro 164. Activation of a setupmacro 164 may permit a user to enter a system setup mode. The availablesetup options may depend upon access limitations put in place by anadministrator. However, in one embodiment, various options to furthercustomize 146 a display layout 104 may be presented.

Referring to FIG. 12, in certain embodiments, when a window 80 isactivated or selected for the focus of control, the title bar 150 may behighlighted, colored, or otherwise changed from an inactive “gray.” Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, the “Automation” subsystem 12has been selected for the focus of control. Accordingly, the windows 80(e.g. thumbnail window 110 and subwindow 132) corresponding to the“Automation” subsystem 12 have title bars 150 that are colored.

The title bar 150 of a window 80 in accordance with the presentinvention may include one or more macros 166 or virtual buttons 166.Suitable buttons 166 may include subwindow buttons 166 a, sizing buttons166 b, closing buttons 166 c, or the like.

In certain embodiments, selecting a subwindow button 166 a on athumbnail 110 may allow a user to create (i.e. define the coverage of) asubwindow 132. If, at some point, a subwindow 132 for that subsystem 12had been created, selecting a subwindow button 166 a may recall the lastdefined subwindow 132. That is, the new subwindow 132 may have the samesize, coverage, and position as the previous subwindow 132. Selecting asubwindow button 166 a on a subwindow 132 may enable a user to adjustthe coverage of the selected area 134, and consequently, the coverage ofthe subwindow 132.

In selected embodiments, as a setup option, a sub-window button 166 a ona thumbnail 110 or full window 124 may either toggle the borderdelineating the selected area 134 between “on” and “off” or permitmodification of the coverage of the subwindow 132. If the borderillustrating the selected area 134 is off and the operator activates thesubwindow button 166 a on the sub-window 132, the border may appear andits position or extent may be manipulated to change the coverage of theselected area 134, and consequently, the coverage of the subwindow 132.

In certain embodiments, a sizing button 166 b, when selected, may allowa user to determine the size (e.g. in pixels) that the correspondingwindow 80 will occupy within the image 160 present on the display 28.Changing the size of a window 80 need not change the percentage of theimage 112 generated by the subsystem 12 that is shown. In selectedembodiments, only thumbnails 110 and subwindows 132 may be sized.

When activated or selected, a close button 166 c in accordance with thepresent invention may “close” the corresponding window 80. That is, thewindow 80 may be removed from the image 160 produced on the display 28.In selected embodiments, only full windows 124 and subwindows 132 mayhave close buttons 166 c. In such embodiments, thumbnails 110 may not be“closed.” Accordingly, a thumbnail 110 for each connected subsystem 12may be included as a navigation, monitoring, or selection aid in everydisplay layout 104.

Referring to FIG. 13, a full window 124 in accordance with the presentinvention may be generated or launched in any suitable manner. Forexample, in one embodiment, a full window 124 may be launched by doubleclicking over the thumbnail 110 of the subsystem 12 for which the userdesires a full window 124. When a user is done with a full window 124,it may be “closed” by selecting an appropriate close button 166 c. Inselected embodiments, if a full window 124 is subsequently relaunched,it may take the size and positioning of the most recent full window 124for that subsystem 12.

A virtual control panel 142 may take any shape, configuration, orcomplexity desired by a user. Selection or activation of a button 144 ona virtual control panel 142 may cause one or more commands to be issuedto one or more destinations. In some embodiments, status informationfrom a controlled system may be communicated through changes in theappearance of the virtual control panel 142. For example, if aparticular sensor of a selected subsystems 12 registers a reading aboveor below at critical value, one or more “lights”, markers, or colors maybe activated to uniquely illuminate the virtual control panel 142 anddraw attention onto its status.

In selected embodiments, an integrator 14 in accordance with the presentinvention may host software to assist a user in graphically designingand generating a virtual control panel 142. Additionally, such softwaremay also permit a user to articulate the various commands 32, 34, 36 tobe issued upon selection, activation, adjustment, or the like of abutton 144, switch 144, knob 144, dial, graduated control, etc. of thevirtual control panel 142.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its basic functionality or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by theforegoing description. All changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

1. A method comprising: receiving a plurality of display signals from aplurality of electrical devices; generating a composite display signaldefining a plurality of windows, wherein each display signal of theplurality of display signals corresponds to at least one window of theplurality of windows; transmitting the composite display signal to atleast one display; receiving first commands from a first user; routingat least one of the first commands to at least one device of theplurality of electronic devices; forming a first layout by controlling,according to the first commands, the relative size of each window of theplurality of windows; and saving the first layout for recall.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein forming a first layout further comprisescontrolling, according to the first commands, the relative positioningof each window of the plurality of windows.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein at least one display signal of the plurality of display signalscorresponds to an image.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein forming afirst layout further comprises controlling, according to the firstcommands, the portion of the image displayed within a window of theplurality of windows.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality ofwindows comprises at least one thumbnail and at least one subwindow. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of windows comprises atleast one thumbnail presenting the image and at least one subwindowpresenting the portion of the image.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinthe thumbnail further presents a border delineating the portion of theimage.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving first commands from afirst user comprises receiving commands corresponding to cursormovements.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising scaling thecursor movements.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprisingreceiving second commands from a second user.
 11. The method of claim10, further comprising forming a second layout by controlling, accordingto the second commands, the relative size of each window of theplurality of windows;
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprisingsaving the second layout for recall.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereincontrolling the relative size of each window of the plurality of windowsfurther comprises controlling magnification and reduction withoutchanging the position of, or altering the display content within, eachwindow of the plurality of windows.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinthe a plurality of display signals are of a form selected from the groupconsisting of digital component image signal, analog component imagesignal, digital composite image signal, analog composite image signal,digital compressed image signal, a voltage, a current, a contactcondition, an encoded digital signal, and a value corresponding to astate of a component.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof windows comprises at least one thumbnail and at least one subwindow,the at least one thumbnail presenting an image, the at least onesubwindow presenting a portion of the image, the at least one thumbnailfurther presenting a border delineating the portion of the image. 16.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving second commandsfrom a second user; routing at least one of the second commands to atleast one device of the plurality of electronic devices; forming asecond layout by controlling, according to the second commands, therelative size of each window of the plurality of windows; and saving thesecond layout for recall.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein controllingthe relative size of each window of the plurality of windows furthercomprises controlling magnification and reduction without changing theposition of, or altering the display content within, each window of theplurality of windows.
 18. A method comprising: receiving a plurality ofdisplay signals from a plurality of electronic devices; generating acomposite display signal defining a plurality of windows, wherein eachdisplay signal of the plurality of display signals corresponds to atleast one window of the plurality of windows; transmitting the compositedisplay signal to at least one display; receiving commands from a user;routing at least one of the commands to at least one device of theplurality of electronic devices; forming a layout by controlling,according to the commands, the relative positioning of each window ofthe plurality of windows; and saving the layout for recall.
 19. A methodcomprising: selecting a system comprising: a processor operablyconnected to at least one input device to receive commands from a user,at least one display, a first electrical device communicating a firstdisplay signal to the processor in a first form, and a second electricaldevice communicating a second display signal to the processor in asecond form, disparate from the first form, the at least one displaypresenting simultaneously a first image in a first window and a secondimage in a second window, the first image derived by the processor fromthe first display signal, the second image derived by the processor fromthe second display signal; routing at least one of the commands to atleast one of the first and second electronic devices; forming a customlayout by changing, according to the commands, the areal percentage ofthe at least one display occupied by the first window; and saving thecustom layout for recall.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein forming acustom layout further comprises changing, according to the commands, theposition of one of the first and second windows on the at least onedisplay.